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By: Harsh Nath Jha | Journalist & Observer
An exclusive, on-the-ground report from the IIMC Delhi PG Diploma Radio & TV Journalism batch.
⚡ TL;DR: What You're About to Discover
- The illusion of spontaneity: How audience questions are heavily screened and filtered for PR benefits.
- A bizarre 10-minute segment mixing Vat 69 alcohol, cigarettes, and a Radhe Maa bhajan.
- The unasked question: Why the billionaire guest ignores his home state of Bihar.
- Behind-the-scenes mechanics of a pre-recorded prime-time broadcast.
Behind the Cameras: How a Visit to Aap Ki Adalat Exposed the Harsh Reality of TV Journalism
What happens when the glossy, high-stakes facade of mainstream television media is stripped away to reveal the heavily scripted machinery underneath?
As an aspiring journalist, stepping into a major broadcast studio for the first time is supposed to be a moment of awe. But sometimes, the truth behind the lens is more sobering than the news itself.
Recently, our Radio and TV Journalism batch from IIMC visited the India TV studio in Noida to watch a live recording of the iconic show Aap Ki Adalat. Hosted by the legendary Rajat Sharma, this program is a monumental pillar of Indian television. Yet, what we witnessed that day raised profound questions about the survival of genuine media ethics in the modern era.
Caption: Settling in amidst the chaos: Our batch squeezed into the rows inside the broadcast studio (Clicked by us).
The Anticipation, The Chaos, and The Mechanics
Our IIMC batch was joined by students from Bennett University, Amity, and a group of senior citizens. Security was predictably tight—our phones were collected and locked away in plastic bags. But the crowd management? It was a disaster.
Much like the harsh reality of overcrowded campuses at Delhi University, nearly 150 of us were stuffed into a suffocatingly small waiting room for hours. When we finally entered the studio around 12:45 PM, it was vastly overbooked. People sat between rows, on the floor, and on stairs. I managed to grab a seat on the very last bench in the far-left corner—zero chance of appearing on TV, but I was there for the raw experience.
From a production standpoint, it was fascinating to learn how pre-recorded shows operate. The event ran smoothly in the typical Aap Ki Adalat format: four strategic commercial breaks and 3-4 structured accusations. Presiding as the "judge" for the session was Diwakar, the Executive Editor from The Times of India, overseeing the mock courtroom.
Caption: The long wait: Students gathered outside the studio complex before the recording (Clicked by us).
The Illusion of Choice: How Questions Were Screened
Then came the moment that shattered my illusions about prime-time broadcast journalism.
The audience wasn't randomly handed pre-written questions on paper. The reality was much more controlled. In the waiting room, producers asked students to pitch the questions they wanted to ask the guest, Vedanta Group Chairman Anil Agarwal.
However, only the students whose questions explicitly benefited the PR narrative were selected. Nothing more, nothing less. If your question was tough, critical, or didn't fit the script, you were silenced.
The frustration boiled over behind the scenes. One student from Bennett University actively fought with a producer for not giving him a chance to ask his question. The producer pacified him by claiming he could "ask it later." Unsurprisingly, the show ended, and that student never got the microphone.
Caption: Observing the charade: My firsthand experience witnessing the mechanics of mainstream broadcast journalism (Clicked by us).
Agarwal is deeply involved in controversial issues—from natural resource exploitation to displacement cases involving Vedanta Limited. Yet, the screened questions were trivial. One batchmate was allowed to ask what Mr. Agarwal ate while living in London, prompting a heavily rehearsed answer about staying at the Hilton. How does this shed light on the billionaire's business strategies?
The Great Oxymoron & The Missing Question
The interview itself felt less like journalism and more like a bizarre variety show. In one surreal 5-10 minute stretch, Agarwal discussed his affinity for Vat 69 alcohol, cigarettes, and girls, and then—without missing a beat—sang a Radhe Maa bhajan. It was a fascinating, albeit jarring, oxymoron.
During the show, Rajat Sharma utilized his classic style of cross-questioning, but it was largely toothless. A real journalist would have probed deep corporate policies, much like how investigative reports tackle complex issues like the water crisis and AI impacts.
What I Would Have Asked...
If I had been given the microphone, I would have pressed him on his roots. Anil Agarwal was born in Patna. Yet, why has Vedanta made virtually no industrial impact in Bihar? Industrialists from Gujarat and Maharashtra fiercely promote and invest in their home states, providing jobs and infrastructure. Agarwal lives comfortably in London, completely disconnected from the people of Bihar. Why?
Caption: Questioning the narrative: When PR takes the front seat, journalism is pushed to the back (Featured Image).
When politicians and industrialists build their public images on orchestrated PR disguised as interviews, their progress is an illusion. Witnessing it made me feel like we have forgotten how to write and seek the unvarnished truth.
The Silent Protest & The Missing Samosa
The irony is glaring. On the exact day we sat in that studio witnessing a meticulously crafted PR exercise, thousands of female students were protesting across Delhi University regarding urgent safety issues. Did mainstream TV cover it with the same zeal? No.
As we finally filed out of the studio, we were handed refreshment packets containing Good Day biscuits, juice, and Haldiram snacks. Some lucky attendees discovered a samosa hidden inside. Unlucky ones, like myself, got nothing of the sort. In a way, it was the perfect metaphor for the day: much like the journalism on display, some of us were left entirely empty-handed.
Despite my disillusionment, I sincerely thank IIMC, my department, and India TV. Witnessing the stark reality of this industry firsthand is an invaluable lesson—one that teaches you exactly what kind of journalist you don't want to become.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is "Aap Ki Adalat" and who hosts it?
Aap Ki Adalat is a legendary Indian television show hosted by veteran journalist Rajat Sharma. Broadcast on India TV, the show features prominent personalities facing questions in a mock-courtroom setting.
2. Who is Anil Agarwal?
Anil Agarwal is a billionaire Indian businessman and the founder/chairman of Vedanta Resources Limited, a massive, globally diversified natural resources corporation.
3. Are audience questions on news debate shows scripted?
While they may not always be handed a script, producers often heavily screen audience members beforehand. Only questions that align with the show's narrative or benefit the guest's PR are selected, eliminating genuine critical inquiry.
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